Virginia RICO

Virginia RICO (18.2-512, et. seq.):

In a nutshell, Virginia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act criminalizes being a part of a criminal enterprise (which is defined as three or more people that come together to engage in criminal activity). Essentially, Virginia’s RICO Law provides for enhanced punishments in situations that may be considered under the federal law as merely a more complex conspiracy. The RICO law is provided below:

This chapter may be cited as the “Virginia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act.”

(2004, cc. 883, 996.)

§ 18.2-513. Definitions

As used in this chapter, the term:

“Criminal street gang” shall be as defined in § 18.2-46.1.

“Enterprise” includes any of the following: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, business trust, criminal street gang; or other group of three or more individuals associated for the purpose of criminal activity.

§ 18.2-514. Racketeering offenses

A. It shall be unlawful for an enterprise, or for any person who occupies a position of organizer, supervisor, or manager of an enterprise, to receive any proceeds known to have been derived directly from racketeering activity and to use or invest an aggregate of $10,000 or more of such proceeds in the acquisition of any title to, or any right, interest, or equity in, real property, or in the establishment or operation of any enterprise.

B. It shall be unlawful for any enterprise, or for any person who occupies a position of organizer, supervisor, or manager of an enterprise, to directly acquire or maintain any interest in or control of any enterprise or real property through racketeering activity.

C. Each violation of this section is a separate and distinct felony punishable in accordance with § 18.2-515.

(2004, cc. 883, 996.)

§ 18.2-515. Criminal penalties; forfeiture

A. Any person or enterprise convicted of engaging in activity in violation of the provisions of § 18.2-514 is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 40 years and a fine of not more than $1 million. A second or subsequent offense shall be punishable as a Class 2 felony and a fine of not more than $2 million.

The court may order any such person or enterprise to be divested of any interest in any enterprise or real property identified in § 18.2-514; order the dissolution or reorganization of such enterprise; and order the suspension or revocation of any license, permit, or prior approval granted to such enterprise or person by any agency of the Commonwealth or political subdivision thereof.

B. All property, real or personal, including money, used in substantial connection with, intended for use in the course of, or traceable to, conduct in violation of any provision of § 18.2-514 is subject to civil forfeiture to the Commonwealth. The forfeiture proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2.

(2004, cc. 883, 996.)

§ 18.2-516. Prohibition of illegal money transmitting

A. Any person who controls, manages, or owns all or part of an enterprise, engaged in money transmission as defined in § 6.1-370, and transmits money, which he knows or should have known was derived from or traceable to racketeering activity, is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

B. All property, real or personal, including money, used in substantial connection with, intended for use in the course of, or traceable to, conduct in violation of any provision of subsection A is subject to civil forfeiture to the Commonwealth. The forfeiture proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2.

(2004, cc. 883, 996.)

§ 18.2-517. Venue for prosecution

For the purposes of venue, any violation of this chapter shall be considered to have been committed in any county or city:

1. In which any act was performed in furtherance of any course of conduct that violates this chapter;

2. That is the principal place of the enterprise in the Commonwealth;

3. In which any offender had control or possession of any proceeds of a violation of this chapter, or of any records, or any other material or objects, which were used in furtherance of a violation;

4. In which any offender resides; or

5. Any place of venue under Article 2 (§ 19.2-244 et seq.) of Chapter 15 of Title 19.2.

(2004, cc. 883, 996.)

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